Nice shot. Equally knackered: (second shot from: An Infantry Platoon Leader in Patton's Army - Photos)
Seeing those reminds me how my Dad could always sleep anytime, anywhere at the drop of a hat... He told me this story of sleeping when on the job … Once, having yet again been ordered to dig in, and being wise by now to the quick change of orders, he and his mate cut cards to see who would start. Dad won, lay down and started his kip. His mate cursed and started work. My father woke in the twilight, to hear his mate whispering frantically, demanding to know where his rifle was, searching the ground with his hands. Apparently while he was digging, someone tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to his shovel. He obviously wanted to borrow it. Both men stared at each other and the penny finally dropped. My dad’s mate realised the other man was wearing a German helmet. He promptly started to look for his weapon and woke Dad up, just as the German ran off. Just then their officer came by and quietly informed them of the revelation that they all seemed to be behind German lines … the platoon was quickly gathered up. On the slow way back in the dark to their own lines they came across a German trench. All of the men were fast asleep. The Micks went from one to the other, tapping them gently on the shoulder with the end of a rifle. He said they got a good crop of POWs. Drawing by Soren:
When I was working surgery late one night, we were about to put a prothesis in a hip and I was scrubbed (passing instruments). I had set up the tables and was ready at about the time the patient rolled in the door, so I sat down on a stool and leaned back against a rough roll down cabinet door and closed my eyes. I takes about 20 -25 minutes from the time the patient enters the room, until they are anesthetized, positioned, prepped, drapped and ready for the surgeon to start. Anyway, I apparently fell immediately asleep sitting up because the next thing I remember, the surgeon is bumping my foot wanting a towel to dry his wet hands. I must have been asleep a good 20-25 minutes.
From IWM Collections: THE BRITISH ARMY IN FRANCE 1940 An exhausted British soldier catches up on his sleep on board the steamer 'Royal Sovereign' en route to Southampton during the evacuation of British troops from Cherbourg, 13 June 1940. THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-1943 The Axis retreat and the Tunisian campaign 1942 - 1943: Exhausted British troops sleep in a trench after fierce night fighting in the Mareth Line. THE FIFTH ARMY IN LAURO, ITALY, 19 JANUARY 1944 Lieutenant Olaf Branns, of Hill House, Watlington, Oxon, takes the chance of a much needed sleep in a haystack during a lull in the battle. THE FIFTH ARMY IN THE GARIGLIANO RIVER VALLEY, ITALY, 19 JANUARY 1944 Lance Corporal A Durrent, of Bethnal Green, London, snatches a few moments sleep.
I like this thread. Where are you getting them pics from? Had a look on google, "knackered soldiers", Tired/sleeping soldiers etc but can't find anything.
South Staffords on the beaches at Dunkirk Date: January - June 1940 (c.) Nine members of 1/6 South Staffords are pictured here having a smoke while awaiting evacuation. Notice the French officer, probably an interpreter, that they had with them all the time they were in France and Belgium.
Wonder did the French Officer cross the Channel? Yes, probably twice if not three times. Once the French that were evacuated from Dunkirk arrived in England they were promptly shipped back to France to continue the fight. Some to be evacuated yet again from various other ports.
Thank you for posting these photos, I really enjoy seeing the human side of the War and not just photos of battles, tanks, elite forces, etc. In a strange way I can relate to some of these photos. One thing I recall from my time in the Service, was the "chronic lack of sleep" LOL,...and this was in peace time LOL. I was tired all the time..LOL. Some of the best sleep I got in the Service was laying on the concrete of the flight line at NAS Miramar, San Diego, Ca. under a Tomcat waiting for the Aircrew to walk to the aircraft for the launch. In the cool So. Cal. mornings just cool enough to wear a jacket, and wearing our flight deck "cranial" helmets with the ear defenders and dark googles...perfect for getting 20 minutes of sleep LOL. Thanks Mark
Knackered ? No photo, I'm afraid, but a vivid memory previously recorded: The campaign in Sicily lasted only a month and at the closing stages when we were moving up towards Messina I had my first serious flirtation with death. As I have already mentioned, I was part of a crew of three wireless ops, and for my sins I had been made the official driver. In theory the driving was supposed to be split three ways but in practice the other two lads were happy to drive during daylight but disappeared into the back of the truck when night fell. On this particular occasion I was driving without lights along a mountain road between Patti and Messina, with the sea on my left. I had been without sleep for several days and the strain of following a tiny light on the differential of the truck in front finally mesmerised me to such an extent that I literally fell asleep on the road. The first thing I knew was this G-d Almighty crash and I automatically stamped on the foot brake and applied the hand brake. I then attempted to take stock of the situation and found the following: 1. I had run off the road towards the sea but had been halted by a telegraph pole. 2. The impact had been such that I had literally run UP the pole and my bonnet was pointing skyward. 3. It was impossible to tell at that stage what was going to happen if and when I released the hand brake. 4. Peter and Danny, my crew-mates at the back had woken and were demanding to know what the hell was going on. Fortunately the fates smiled on me that night and when we had unloaded the back of the truck of its occupants and moveable gear I was able to release the brake, the truck slid down the pole, while Peter and Danny hung on to the tail to ensure that it did not slip seaward. We waited until the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) sergeant caught up with us and then with only light repairs were able to drive on. ps What the excellent photos do show is the ability of almost any serviceman to catch a nap whenever possible, probably natures way of re-charging one's battery. I even wonder if the subject of servicemen/women coping with the loss of sleep is worthy of a thread in it's own right ?
Diane, You have much to be proud of..... I was once told by two Infantry chaps from the Duke of Boots when I was on a course that the art of being a first rate soldier is in the ability to be able to sleep anywhere at anytime because you never know when you will have another opportunity. That was one of the most important things I ever learnt in the forces. Andy
Nice pictures but the first one beats them all, great. Philip, I agree with you on that. The soldier and donkey are a classic! Regards Tom
Ron, I think it would merit a seperate thread. I know that my father could fall asleep at the drop of a hat. Just found this link about the German army and amphetemine, that will stop you from falling asleep. It just hits you a little later!! Wonderdrugs and the Wehrmacht : methamphetamine and the German war machine Regards Tom
I like this thread. Where are you getting them pics from? Had a look on google, "knackered soldiers", Tired/sleeping soldiers etc but can't find anything. Try google image `sleeping soldiers`
